Low Oil Pressure Chevrolet/GM 6.0 (or Chevy 5.3) Fix 

The seal doesn’t have to be broken for it to suck in air that causes low oil pressure if the seal is flatter on the edges and feels hard it’s most likely the seal anyways. I don’t think you did anything wrong it’s a common problem for the engines.

I have 50 years as a mechanic both automotive and heavy equipment. Today watching your video, I learned it is possible to spend the day banging my head into the undercarriage and knuckles into sharp steel then crawl out smiling. Good job. I don't know if you are a father, but you should be. Most people I know would have kicked and cussed the truck then fixed it with a for sale sign.

good stuff. 2006 GMC 6.0 @ 280K miles. I had a low oil pressure issue at start up and when warm, and a tick... several shops wanted to pull the heads and were telling me it was a failed lifter. several indicated it was oil pump failure. i chased it for a year, and finally figured out it was this simple o-ring, problem solved. I wish more people knew about about this issue. the forums are full of people chasing this ticking/low pressure issue and this o-ring is often the problem.

That o ring was flattened in shape so it would probably suck air. I wish you had videoed test drive and oil pressure readings afterwards.

My Serria GMC did the same thing I pull the oil pan down hoping to find an issue with the pickup tube as well. I found the same thing. As you nothing. Low oil pressure reading. I decided I would drive it till it dies and put another engine in it. That was a 100.000 miles ago it's still moving forward. Hey, anytime you learn something it's a plus I enjoyed your video. Very clean no cursing you are a good guy 👍

Great video bro. Anyone working on cars is going to learn either way good or bad. All turns into experience. 🙏🏽💪🏽💪🏽

This video is exactly what I've been looking for. Same issue. Thank you good sir

I had the same issue with my 2007 Tahoe. I replaced both the o-ring, oil pressure sensor and the screen under the oil pressure sensor only to have the issue persist! I finally FIXED the issue by pouring 1 quart of "Motor Medic" motor flush in the engine oil fill tube as directed. I followed the instructions on the bottle and BINGO! My oil pressure consistently holds great pressure even after long road trips (6hrs). I was super skeptical about any snake oil gimmicks, but it works! $13 dollar fix. Make sure to perform the flush with a cold engine, then change the oil/filter directly after the flush!

Subscribed! I like your honesty!!

I had the same problem on my 02 Silverado 5.3 L, but my oil pressure went down to 0 PSI at idle, raise the engine speed, and goes to 10 PSI . And it was not the oil pressure switch either. But I went a few steps farther, and I replace the oil pump with a high volume, high-pressure pump from Milling. and when I was in there and a new timing chain & gears...........$ 60.00 more for that. I got a lot of miles on my truck, over 200,000 miles. Oil pressure is good now, 50 PSI at idle, and at freeway speeds, 60 PSI like it should be. GREAT Video Bad Hombre!

Awesome video, I have just started to get into cars my self, got a few videos on my channel. Loved yours 🙏🏼

Thank you. And thank God for your good attitude. Good video.

Hey Hombre. Even though I didn't learn anything today, I still enjoy watching gearheads wrenching on cars. Thanks for sharing.👍👍🍁

Geez pumpin out the hits!!

Good video. Thanks.Might be doing that some day.

1:20 oh you got time today........... love it. And I need to tackle this same issue in my 01 silverado. I'm at 415k and I hate when I have to whack the gas to get my pressure back up. And that ticking comes from that worn o ring too

Great video! I’m suspecting the o-ring is the issue with my 2005 Sierra with the 5.3, though it’s intermittent. And I feel like it got worse when I stopped using ACDelco oil filters and started using Wix XP, as the higher quality filter media could have increased the pressure at the pickup tube and exacerbated the o-ring failure. Or at least that’s how my logic sees it. Either way I feel like it’s worth a shot at 243k miles, and my oil sending unit was already replaced about 30k ago when the pressure gauge needle stayed all the way to the right.

Note to self, after you fix the clock spring in the Journey get a new creeper and do this pita on the Silverado.Thanx for the video,i may have the confidence to do it now, if simply just the fact i am not alone.

Hey Joe, good video on pulling the pan it;s to bad the O ring wasn't problem, ok i have to ask what was the cam shaft doing hanging around, lol, oh and by the way congrats on 1000 subs

God job. I encountered the same thing with my Avalanche

Great job !!!! Sorry that wasn't the issue. I'm having the same problem. I'll check the vlom 1st. Good going boss !!!

I think you and the comments from others may have saved me some time. I have a 2008 Suburban with only 40k miles on it. I and several mechanics were in disbelief the oil pump could be bad. I don't know why any of them did not know about the O-ring issue. My Suburban has very low miles but that o-ring is still 14 years old.

Motor Medic Motor Flush, before an oil change run it at idle in your engine for 5 minutes (may need to drain a quart of oil first to make room for it). Then change the oil/filter. It makes all the difference in the world. Pushed my previously too low oil pressure up by ~10 psi on average.

Had the same symptoms with my 08 Yukon Denali with the 6.2 L, but it wasn't the O ring or Oil pump, or internal oil leak. It turned to be a failing oil pressure sending unit with a clogged screen. The sensor gradually failed because the plastic in the part would expand as the motor got up to operating temperature. I simply replaced the sensor and screen. Took literally 10 minutes without removing the intake manifold. I tested a brand new sending unit and it read a lower pressure the hotter the plastic in the part got. Hooked up a mechanical oil pressure guage and the oil pressure was just fine despite the erroneous reading at the guage, but accurate enough. But it's worth checking out the easy possibilities first.

Nice video . i just got the code for my h2 oll low preasure

🤷🏾‍♂️we live we learn. I’m suspecting the same thing on my 5.3 and this video just made me feel way better if it’s not that damn O ring.

Hey man. Love the video. Especially the sweet tunes with time elapse. I’ve got the same thing going on with my 05 Denali. Replace the pressure sending unit. And now pressure maxes out at almost 40. Then drops as the motor warms up. I saw another video where the old o ring didn’t look bad, but replacing it fixed it. What have you found to fix your issue? Would really appreciate your input. Thanx.

Great video sir I plan on don’t this to a 2002 1500 suburban 😔 how did u clean out the pick up tube and filter ?

O man. You were halfway there to getting oil pump replaced!! Hopefully this fixed the issue. They like to get brittle and hard and don’t have to crack to cause pressure loss issues

Good job

Great video! nice presentation! Got my 04 avalanche 1500 with the same engine 5.3L month ago and having this low oil pressure problem.. fluctuating gauge and long runs drop the gauge to the very 0.. my journey brought me here. Gonna check with local repair shop how much would they charge me for the O-Ring replacement. I wonder if they could swap the gasket on the oil pan at the same time too.. if it doesn't help, I will head for the oil pump replacement...

My DAD RIP POP’S and I were visiting about my 68 CAMARO and it’s oil pressure problem. It has original engine 327 and it runs great. However the guy I bought it from 35yrs ago told me he and his son rebuilt the motor. My dad drag raced cars my whole young life. I removed the pan changed the pump,new all steel drive rod (no plastic collar)checked oil galleys,gauges,new lines with no success. First start the car drive it while good oil pressure few hours of driving oil pressure would go down,even worse pull up to stop sign and it would drop to about 10lbs. I was having a fit And DAD ask me a question about the rebuild of engine and did the man install with a cam bar his own bearings and I said yes why do ask. His reply was the guy had misaligned 1 of the oil holes. I didn’t believe him just couldn’t wrap my head around it. Well my son and I just tore the motor down 4 months ago. And guess what? There it was just like DAD said cam bearing oil hole was half covered. Anyway for what ever it’s worth I learned a valuable lesson. And my Son doesn’t let me forget.

I starting having the problem long time ago, so i changed the oil and the oil pressure sending unit and boom it fixed the problem. Then started doing it again months later and i changed my oil and my pressure went up a little but not for too long, so I took my truck to the mechanic and he replaced the manifold seal because it was bad ok. The truck was fine and now it doing it again. Im going to changed my oil and probably the sending unit and if that doesn't fix the problem I might have to do what you just did. I have a 2996 dodge.

Try about 5 oil flush and run 10w-30 on long road trips and install an oil cooler and temperature sensor, high flow quality oil filter

Thanks for showing the process, even if that wasn’t the problem in the end 👍

I saw another video on you tube about ls engine low oil pressure where the man took out 10 more bolt to remove that shield to see the cheap stamped camshaft bearing walking out of the 2nd journal causing loss of oil pressure. Apparently common problem. Good luck and God Bless

Just did this same procedure on an 09 Tahoe. o ring wasn't broken but was also flattened out like yours was. Changed it out and the issue went away

2008 sierra 6.0 Starts cold at 40psi Run it for 5-10 minutes psi at 20 and idles at 10-15psi. Already replaced o ring and pressure sensor and screen. Thinking about replacing the oil pump next based off of other comments

Next step is to put a manual pressure guage to veify true oil pressure. If that is good, flush the engine with a solvent or diesel , or even motor flush. Seen this happen before on long drives.

I've got a 2001 1500 HD 6 liter it starts out at 40 psi then drops down to 20 or lower if I don't keep the rpm's up when it warms up. Once I drive 3 miles it shoots back to 40 psi . I'm sure I have the same problem

Just found your video on the same problem I was having. After replacing the pick-up tube o-ring, now the truck is giving me "oil pressure Low" alarm and the needle indicates "0". So I didn't correctly place the new o-ring on. So now i have to redo the whole job. ( 03 GMC yukon Denali w/ 6.0 engine)

Try changing the oil pressure relief valve spring. I seen a guy claim the valve gets jammed and, sometimes caught in there. The springs just for added pressure. Something to look at.

2008 Suburban with similar symptoms and 215k miles. 40 PSI cold, 10 at hot idle. Did you find your answer? I did the sending unit, O-ring, lifters already. Just checked for walked out cam bearings and don’t have one... starting to think they might just be slightly worn enough to be a problem. When I went to inspect crankcase for walked bearings I did discover a slight pinch in my o-ring so I’ll replace it and see what happens... Maybe a new higher volume Melling pump will make up for the wearing out block? Great video! Cheers

How many miles on your engine before you had to replace o ring and have u replaced the oil pressure switch before you took that step to replace o ring thanks and good video I subbed !

I also start with gloves and finish with dirty hands.haha

If that didnt make the difference you were looking to get then more then likely your going to have to deal with the plunger after removing oil pump. Simple but common on these motors, Basically oil is getting pulled back down. Plunger on these get stuck not allowing the oil to go through and just cycles back down. Might as well change the oil pump since you have to deal with plunger (separate issue) but connected. Good luck

I watched your video. I am sorry it was not the oil pick up tube o-ring. I have a 2008 Suburban 5.3L and it was the o-ring. I also have a 2005 Silverado and I am experiencing oil pressure drops to 10 psi with the same problem. Don't know the cause. By chance, did you discover the problem with your truck ? What was the cause of the oil pressure loss ?

Have you figured out what the problem was? I'm just happy I don't have to pull the pan off now lol

Did you figure out oil pressure issue. I know this video is a year old and I looked through other videos and Don't see a problem solved one. My truck has the same issue and I am thinking the seals around the afm solenoids are leaking. Any thoughts on that?

How often does this bad oring happen on the same vehicle? I replace mine about 3 years ago and am having the same problem.

Most of the time its the oring. I've also seen the oil pump rotor get a little wear and make low pressure when warm. I had a 2000 6.0 engine it started at around 160000 and the truck still runs and it has 300000 miles now. Tuff engine.

The oring is flat on the OD, I replaced pumps n orings in yukon n tahoe. Hope this fixed ur problem

if you notice the outer part of the O-Ring is Flattened, So it has lossed it's shape, and the new O-Ring is Rounded, because it is full sized, like it should be. So your Work is Not in vain! You did need to replace it. Mine was the same way and gained about 15 lbs pressure.

I have a 2003 Corvette. It came with the LS-1 5.7 liter engine. I don't see the tube you're referring to. Is the Corvette engine somehow different? The only issue it had was with the oil pressure sending unit completely failing (0 PSI on the gage). Maybe the 5.7 engine is somehow different?

Ok. Did you change the "screen" under the oil pressure switch? Have to pull it out with a small hook.

What a nipper dang if it is dang if it's not already thinking it's the pump wondering though if there is a screen in side of the filter housing as well restricting flow.

Check out Ultimate Ls no oil pressure low oil pressure diagnosis video

my 07 Tahoe 5.3 with 175k miles has 17psi at idle and 38psi at 2k rpm on hot oil, cold new oil i get up to almost 40psi at idle and 50psi at 2k for a couple of miles so i changed the oring installed updated oil pan valve slinger but still have exactly same oil pressure i guess next i will try new oil pump truck runs great

Nice job, how long did it take? Im doing mine this week. The o-rings dont need to be cracked to loose suction, the get hard and not sealing the surfaces as well, look the old one has squared edges, new one is a round dount.

When doing the "oil pressure sensor switch" you changed the screen at the bottom? I'm sure you did as you seem fairly thorough!

Mine was replaced not even a year ago. Probably 10k miles tops ago and im having low oil pressure recently. Do u think it could have gone that bad that quickly?

You were getting 20 PSI hot idle? My 2004 Yukon starts at 40 PSI on startup and after its gets real warm goes down to about 25 PSI. Sounds like I’ve got the same thing going on and will need an o-ring. What brand of o-ring did you use?

Hey my name is Richard and I have the same problem but have also done the same thing to my 05 Denali xl what was the outcome of this problem if I may ask ??..

I have a 2016 chevy silverado 1500 with the 5.3 its doing the same thing it has just over 180000mi i think ill be doing this soon hopefully it fixs it

Was there any change in the oil pressure? The o ring looked like it was no longer flexible, it looked flat all around the outside. Could of been sucking some air.

I have the same problem on my 01 6.0. I'm thinking maybe cam bearing are worn

Did you check the screen under the oil pressure sending unit?

After the o-ring. Did the pressure go to normal.

2006 Silverado with 6.0. I have extremely low oil pressure on cold morning start ups. Once motor warms up it’ll hold 40+ pressure reset of day. Think the Oring could be bad and expand once motor warms up?

40 psi on cold start it s ok , you dont have problem. I dont know how many milles you have on this motor, but maybe put 10w40 oil if you have high millage

In my Denali 05 lifter noise and the pressure oil gauge is all the way down on the other side, is that possible the pump is bad?

Does this Oring problem exist for the 4.8L ?

Great video! I have the same kind of oil pressures on my 2004 Silverado 5.3 4WD with 203,000 on it. Did you ever figure out what the real "smoking gun" is? If so, please share your discovery. I don't want to have to drop the oil pan either ;)

Likely the pressure relief valve sticking slightly open on the oil pump…

OK what was the outcome? I really need to know because I have a 2006 Yukon Dinali when I first started there’s zero oil pressure I mean it’s really low! I have to raise the RPMs and really get the oil flowing especially in cold weather. I changed the pressure switch but it still doing it I changed the oil and used some synthetic oil stabilizer by Lucas. Is it the weight of my oil is it the type of oil does that have anything to do with it? Please help me! I’m concerned that there isn’t any oil pressure enough so that I’m hearing lifters. Once the engine is up and going and I drive a little bit it maintains all pressure.

Gm put a memo out to their service dept saying, pickup tube o-ring, after 150000 miles, is worn flat and causes air to seep in and needs replacement. This can cause intermittent low oil pressure and lifter tick. In your video the o-ring looks flat. I'm curious if you might have fixed the issue. Do you still have low oil pressure?

Or possibly the tiny screen on the oil pressure sensor up near the firewall. $6.00 screen that can take out an engine lol

So how is the pressure now my truck has same problem ..im thinking of changing the oil pump .good video by the way 👍👍

We’red you buy the o-ring from?

have you replaced the filter screen to the oil sending unit? I had the same symptoms you had . Replaced my oil sending unit, still had the issue. Removed it again and there's a filter that was caked with residue. Replaced it and issue was gone.

would it make sense to put a tiny bead of sealer inside n out side that o ring before reinstall ???????????? Any one try this ever, Ive done this on turbo pedestal o rings and have over 500k on that change out and never have a leak Hmmmm wonder wonder

I follow the Yukon XL group on Facebook and someone mentioned that they simply changed their oil filter and that it fixed their pressure issue, now I don’t know the details whether the filter was damaged/defective but since you have that leak coming from the filter, are you sure you’re filter isn’t lose or bad ? Please let me know what you find out

%100 works just had it done , 9/10 mechanics would not replace my gasket/o ring be issue they said “that’s not the issue” their full of shit, if you have low oil pressure but it does move when you accelerate then this IS probably the fix, don’t let a mechanic talk you into some other bullshit!

I have a 2005 Yukon XL Denali 6.0. Had 21,000 on it when I bought it in 2007. Had over 336,000 when I replaced my oil pump and o-ring on the oil pickup. Even after replacing all of this, including the Oil sensor the oil gauge is stuck at 80. After putting close to $10K into this Yukon to make it like new I totaled it on New Years Eve in the Kern Canyon. Crap. So I found another 2005 Yukon XL Denali with 100K less miles on it and no engine knock and drives smooth. But of course the oil pressure sensor is pegged at 80 on this one too! HELP!

A yota and chevy fan?👍👍

Great job man, what causes your engine to surge and act a fool when you come to a stop light or sign what's going on with the truck

My neighbors 2007 1500 5.3 lost oil pressure the other day. Truck dipstick showed down a quart. I topped off and started, gauge went to 40 at 1800 RPM . I can keep at 1800-2000 and it will stay at 40 ish for about 3 minutes then slowly drop to the warnings coming on then to zero.. To me this sounds like once oil get warm this sounds more like pump area problem more than a sensor. Any thoughts before I dive in?? Tom

If it is the o-ring The oil pressure should be worse when it is cold then when it is warm, because The oil comes up the pick up tube easier when it is warm, at least that’s the way it was on my 5.3 Vortech

Did you ever figure this out? I’m headed down the same road. Already did the sensor/screen and o ring with no success. I’m only at 72k on a 2013 Tahoe.

LOL LOL LOL😂🤣🤣🤣 it's the sensor,

They dont have to be broken, it can suck in air even when the oring is just flattened out. Did you ever figure anything out?

The fact that it stayed in the pump and not on the tube shows that it could have been sucking air around the tube instead of the pump side. The ring is supposed to be round, when they are flat.

its your oil pump. But dont put your pan on before you change it or youll have to remove it again

That just means you have bad crank or rod barrings thats also easy to do with the engine in the vehicle

Just wondering did you ever get the problem resolved

It's the oil pump

Did this and sensor on back of motor still have low oil pressure with no sign of spun bearings or a bad pump anyone who can help?

Did you ever find the reason for low oil pressure? Thanks Jason

did it fix the problem?

Maybe the oil pump , they're known to get weak .